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Josh Funk, a junior at Tabor College, received a Kansas Teacher Service Scholarship for his plans to teach special education classes after he graduates.

The scholarship, which the Kansas Board of Regents awards, provides financial assistance to students who plan to pursue hard-to-fill teaching positions, including math, science, and special education.

Funk was awarded $2,700 per semester for the next two years, which totals $10,800.

“It means a couple of things to me,” he said. “First, it won’t be as much of a burden going to school financially. Right now, I work at Pizza Hut to help pay part of it and I took out loans, so this is one way to make it a little bit less financial pressure on me.

“It’s also good to see support from our state government in special education and education in general, especially after all these state budget cuts, so it’s just encouraging to see.”

Originally from Hillsboro, Funk said he always had an interest in teaching, but he had no idea special education would be his calling until he took a required introductory special education class at Tabor.

“I really feel like working with a small group of students and having such a profound impact on their lives will be really great,” he said. “I feel like every student should have the opportunity to become the best version they can be, and I hope I can give them that opportunity.”